Home

The FCA is consulting on significant changes to how listed companies in the UK report on sustainability matters. The consultation closes on 20 March 2026, with the final rules expected in Autumn 2026. The new requirements will apply to financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2027. The proposals aim to replace the current TCFD-aligned disclosure framework with requirements based on the new UK Sustainability Reporting Standards (UK SRS).

Summary: On Friday, January 30, 2026, Andrew Ferguson, the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), sent warning letters to over 40 law firms about their purported involvement in the Mansfield Certification program, a diversity initiative pursuant to which law firms commit to considering diverse applicant pools. The warning letters characterize the Mansfield Certification program as an illegal collusion scheme, often referred to as a “hub and spoke” cartel. The current administration has used this type of “cartel” claim frequently. Several of us predicted last year (in the context of U.S. antitrust challenges to environmental sustainability initiatives) that the cartel type claims would be increasingly invoked. But significant challenges exist between these warning letters and legal action sufficient to withstand a motion to dismiss. Clients, whether law firms or other entities that participate in the Mansfield Certification program, should review their hiring practices to ensure that they are making independent hiring decisions, even if those actions parallel other firms’ decisions.

On 26 January 2026, the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (“OFSI”) provided its clearest guidance yet on the baseline level of due diligence it expects businesses to undertake when assessing sanctions risks. Below we draw out the key compliance and due diligence considerations for businesses in light of OFSI’s penalty notice (the “Notice”) following the imposition of a £160,000 fine on a UK-registered bank (the “Bank”) for breaching the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (SI 2019/855) (the “Regulations”).

Welcome to the Corporate Briefing, where we review the latest developments in UK corporate law that you need to know about. In this month’s issue we discuss: AIM Rule Amendments: Implementation of the Public Offers and Admissions to Trading Regulations 2024 This month the London Stock Exchange amended the AIM Rules to implement the Public Offers and Admissions to Trading Regulations 2024 (the “POATRs”). Identity verification for presenters postponed The identity verification rules for people filing documents at Companies House on behalf of a Company have been postponed until later this year. FCA fines an individual for insider dealing The Financial Conduct Authority has imposed a financial penalty of £309,843 on Russel Gerrity, an experienced Petrophysical Consultant, for engaging in insider dealing. Guidance to assist large companies reporting on payment data in directors’ reports The government has published guidance to assist large companies when reporting on the new payment data requirements in directors’ reports. The Wates Principles: FRC Reporting Insights The FRC has published its first reporting insights into the Wates Principles for large private companies. Pre-completion dividend was a transaction at an undervalue TAQA Bratani Ltd & Ors v Fujairah Oil and Gas UK LLC & Ors [2025] EWCA Civ 1669 The Court of Appeal has made it clear that, when determining whether a company has entered into a transaction at an undervalue, the relevant transaction is the arrangement that the company has actually entered into – and not any wider arrangement to which it is not a party.  

In this report, we have outlined ten areas of real estate risk to have on your radar in 2026. Dispute activity is being driven by factors such as regulatory and legislative changes, ongoing financial pressures, environmental liability risks and infrastructure constraints around connectivity and power. Policy detail continues to shift in several key areas, creating considerable uncertainty for those in the sector. While outcomes will turn on the facts in each case, the areas identified below are primed for an increase in disputes, as those in the property sector seek to navigate a more demanding, contentious and scrutinised operating environment. This report translates these areas of change into practical risk signals, so stakeholders can stress test projects and contracts, prioritise mitigation measures and approach 2026 with better visibility of potential risks.

The Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill was published on 27 January 2026.  Its stated purpose: to bring the feudal leasehold system to an end by reforming and reinvigorating commonhold tenure and banning the use of leasehold tenure for most new flats.